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Federal Disaster Grants, Loans In Rhode Island Top $76.8 Million

WARWICK, R.I.-- Businesses and households in Rhode Island impacted by the severe storms and floods of 2010 have received $76,854,104 in approved disaster grants and loans from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

A total of $32,707, 283 was approved to assist with temporary housing, home repairs and other assistance through FEMA disaster programs. A total of $3,023,422 has been approved for eligible Rhode Islanders through the FEMA/state Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program. These amounts are from close of business June 22, 2010, and are subject to change as applications for the disaster continue to be processed.

Loans to homeowners, renters, nonprofit organizations and businesses of various sizes have been approved by the SBA for a total of $41,123,400. Of the 24,204 applications SBA issued to people in Rhode Island, 3,721 have been submitted for review and processing.

FEMA Community Relations Field Specialists have reached out to a total of 19,593 households in Rhode Island. As of June 22, 2010, Community Relations Specialists spoke directly with more than 8,901 residents and contacted 2,269 businesses, churches, schools and community organizations.

More than 51,400 Rhode Island residents were greeted by FEMA Mitigation Specialists at local retail stores, and a total of 11,223 individuals received one-on-one counseling. In addition, FEMA Mitigation Specialists provided 144,628 packets, brochures and pamphlets to Rhode Islanders with information on techniques that can be used to repair and rebuild homes stronger and more secure.

Rhode Island residents impacted by the flood who have applied for assistance may call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 to ask questions, update contact information, learn the status of their application or obtain information on appealing a decision. The FEMA Helpline is available each day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT. Help is available in all languages.

For more information on SBA applications, residents and business owners may contact SBA's customer service center at: 1-800-659-2955 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.